If you see the seals, click them to make sure they link to the organization that created them. Some unscrupulous merchants will put these logos on their websites without permission.

Look for signs that the website protects your data

On the web page where you enter your credit card or other personal information, look for an "s" after http in the web address of that page (as shown below). (Encryption is a security measure that scrambles data as it traverses the Internet.)

Also make sure there is a tiny closed padlock in the address bar, or on the lower right corner of the window.

Use a filter that warns you of suspicious websites

Browser filters warn you about reported phishing sites and block you from visiting them. For example, two browser filters are the SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8 and the Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer 7.

Keep your web browser updated

Internet Explorer 7 and 8 provide another layer of protection with websites that use Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates. The address bar turns green and has both https and the closed padlock.

An EV SSL certificate not only helps ensure that communication with a website is secure, but it also includes information about the legitimacy of the website, which has been confirmed by the Certification Authority (CA) issuing the SSL Certificate.